2013 EMERGING ISSUES FORUM

Emerging Issues Forum

North Carolina’s Manufacturing Vision Statement

Manufacturing is in the midst of a generational change, disrupting the economic and cultural fabric of North Carolina. Despite significant job losses in some traditional industries, our state’s economic output in manufacturing is the fourth highest in the country and the largest contributor to North Carolina’s gross domestic product.

Through strong statewide leadership, North Carolina will emphasize the critical importance of traditional and next generation manufacturing to its core economy. North Carolina commits to investment in strong supporting institutions, a highly skilled workforce, developing globally and locally networked communities, and a world-class infrastructure that creates logistical advantages and the agility to respond to the technological pace of change.

This vision statement was developed by the Institute for Emerging Issues Working Group.

The sessions will cover the regional variation in manufacturing, ignite a conversation about how to close the skills gap and life up communities that are successfully working to grow the manufacturing economy. The sessions will be supplemented by data on the region’s manufacturing picture to more carefully craft a dialogue for participants.

Will Powers, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Rolls-Royce North America Barry Johnson, Professor and Senior Associate Dean, College of Engineering, University of Virginia, Board Chair of Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing Tom Ross, President, The University of North Carolina